Vendée Globe vet Jean-Pierre Dick, a rookie on the Figaro circuit, takes part in the AG2R Transat with Bruno Jourdren. Shot courtesy of Jean-Marie Liot / Virbac Paprec.

Usually associated with single-handed events, the Figaro Bénéteau One-Design (10,1 metres long, bearing Marc Lombard's signature) can occasionally accommodate for more than just the usual solitude-loving skipper. Well, for long races that is - just like the one that's starting in a bit more than a week now. The Transat AG2R (8th edition this year) will take 31 duets on a nice transatlantic sprint between Concarneau in Brittany and Saint Barth' in the French West Indies (via a compulsory mark in front of Porto Santo, Madeira). Which means roughly 3700 miles to go, quite a run for these 'little' boats, even though speed potential in heavy airs cannot be underestimated.

Of course, this 'equal terms' event attracts a lot of well-known names of the Figaro circuit, who in some cases have also had their days in the sun in other classes… Certainly this applies to Vincent Riou, whom all of you heard of last winter when he became the winner of the most disputed Vendée Globe ever. For the AG2R, Vincent is teamed-up with Jérémie Beyou - these 2 are old buddies - who won all of the Figaro solo races last year. You can be sure there's a least one subject of conversation they will avoid at sea, since each of them has a Farr-designed Open 60 currently being built for the next Vendée, and some secrets have to remain… well, secrets.

Another interesting association, Gildas Morvan will sail with Erwan Tabarly this time (yes, Erwan is in fact Eric's nephew, I thought some of you might ask. Let me add that he does not make a fuss about it, he's just a discreet and talented competitor). Gildas and Erwan are undoubtedly among the top guns of the Figaro class, and would be a logical option for anyone willing to risk a few bucks on a bet. In fact, so would Armel Le Cléac'h and Nico Troussel (who come to defend their 2004 title), or Charles Caudrelier & Nicolas Bérenger… But making lists has always been boring actually, so let's try not to be too comprehensive about this.

Hold on though, can't forget to mention the highly dangerous team formed by Roland Jourdain & Jean-Luc Nélias (former ORMA skipper), who also go way back since they started sailing school together when they were kids. Well, so much for that troops review. Saying that competition will be fierce just about sums it up, but it's also interesting to note that the sailors will not have access to shore-based weather routing. Strategically speaking, weather expert Louis Bodin reckons that if the start is given in typical post-winter Bay of Biscay harshness (statistics show that at this time of year, it's 80% of low-pressure situations), the tough conditions should not exceed 48 hours. After that, the Figaros should be able to head straight towards the Madeira waypoint, and the catch the trades, unless the Azores high has not settled yet (20% of chances) - in this case, the game will be quite open in terms of tactics, the fleet ending up spilt between the N and the S of the system. Place your bets.

Jocelyn Blériot

03/29/06